The following questions are examples of the kinds of questions an 8th grade U.S. History student will be expected to answer on a test. All of these questions have been taken directly from tests that I have actually given. They are arranged by chapter from our current text book.
The purpose of these sample questions is to help students prepare for assessments, to see the most common types of questions I ask, and to have a chance to practice answering short answer questions. You will see that most of the questions here are short answer. Virtually all of my tests contain short answer questions so it is important to master the skills necessary for writing an excellent answer. (Don’t worry, I’ll teach you those in class).
Chapter 4 Test: The English Colonies
Short Answer: Answer each of the following questions in no more than two complete sentences. If you have large handwriting, you may use additional paper.
1. Explain the headright system set up by the London Company is 1618. (II)
2. In the early years of the Virginia Colony, around 75% of the colonists were indentured servants. Give two reasons why someone would want to come to the colonies as an indentured servant. What did they have to gain? (II)
3. Because of high death rates in the Virginia Colony, there was a shortage of labor. At first white farmers brought over indentured servants to do the work instead of expensive slaves because of these high death rates. How did this trend change after the death rates had dropped by the mid-1600s? (I, IV; II)
4. How were the experiences of the Pilgrims similar to those of the first Jamestown settlers? (II)
5. Why might the Quaker faith have attracted colonial women? (I, IV; II)
6. How was William Penn’s relationship with American Indians different from most other colonies? (I, IV; II)
7. How were the Jamestown and Plymouth settlements different agriculturally? (II, III)
8. Why did the early colonies in North America establish settlements near rivers and the Atlantic Ocean? (III)
9. Why was slavery and indentured servitude more important to the economy of the Southern colonies than in New England? (I, IV; II)
10. Thinking of all the English colonies that we have discussed, what are the two major reasons settlers came to the New World? (I, IV; II)
U.S. History Chapter 5: Life in the English Colonies Test
Main Ideas: Answer each of the following questions in no more than two complete sentences. Be brief and to the point.
1. What is the difference between a staple crop and a cash crop? (II)
2. Describe the economic base of the New England colonies. (VI)
3. What are the three main principles of mercantilism? (VI)
4. Generally, how did geography affect the economic development of the different colonial regions? (III)
5. How were religion and education related in the colonies? (II)
6. Why were trade networks, like triangular trade, important to the colonies? (VI)
7. Frodo Baggins lives a quiet hobbit life in the Shire, a beautiful settlement in New England. Frodo and his hired worker Sam are farmers. What kinds of crops does Frodo most likely grow? (III)
8. Explain the positive and negative effects of mercantilism on the colonies.
9. Explain the relationship between mercantilism, the Navigation Acts, and Triangular Trade.
10. Explain the three main principles of mercantilism. Be sure to give examples from both the colonial period and from the present day.
11. Which colonial region relied primarily on commerce for its economic growth, and sold products such as fish, whale oil, and ships? (VI)
12. Which colonial region relied primarily on agriculture for its economic growth and sold products such tobacco, rice, and indigo? (VI)
13. Which colonial region relied on both commerce and agriculture to secure its economic growth? (VI)
For each of the following, circle the letter of the best choice.
1. The Glorious Revolution happened when…
a. a group of slaves in Georgia revolted against their master
b. William and Mary overthrew James II of England
c. The Great Awakening swept through New England
d. James II conquered Spain
e. Bon Jovi released the hit single “Livin’ On a Prayer”
2. The Middle Passage was the…
a. training period for apprentices.
b. voyage from Africa to the Americas experienced by enslaved Africans.
c. journey from Britain to the Americas taken by British immigrants.
d. trade network between the British West Indies, the colonies, and Britain.
3. Which of the following factors was necessary for Britain to maintain a favorable balance of trade? (VI)
a. increase exports and decrease imports
b. increase exports and imports
c. decrease exports and increase imports
d. decrease exports and imports
4. Apprentices were usually…
a. young women who lived with their families to care for the children.
b. slaves who were trying to earn their freedom.
c. merchants.
d. young boys who learned a trade from a master craftsman, like a blacksmith.
5. Tobacco, rice, and indigo were…
a. considered to be staple crops.
b. difficult to grow in the Southern colonies
c. cash crops grown in New England.
d. good on a muffin.
6. Ministers of the Great Awakening preached that all people, regardless of social status, …
a. were all born sinners.
b. all had an equal chance to be saved.
c. were destined for eternal torment no matter what.
d. both “a” and “b”
7. Between 1650 and 1696 Parliament passed a series of Navigation Acts designed to…(VI)
a. regulate trade with the colonies and increase profits for both England and the colonies.
b. regulate trade with the colonies and increase profits England, making the British policy of mercantilism a reality.
c. maintain a favorable balance of trade for the colonies.
d. help English merchants find their way to colonial ports more easily.
8. As a result of the Navigation Acts, there was an increase in the amount of smuggling and illegal trade of goods in the colonies. English customs officials often overlooked these and other infractions because… (VI)
a. they didn’t really threaten British power.
b. they just didn’t care.
c. the colonial assemblies, or governments, often controlled the salaries of the English officials.
d. both “a” and “c”
e. they were too busy reading Lord of the Rings
9. Thousands of enslaved Africans died on their journey to the colonies from…
a. starvation.
b. diseases such as malaria, dysentery, and smallpox.
c. being thrown overboard when they became ill.
d. All of the above
10. The political ideas of the Glorious Revolution led to acts of Parliament such as the English Bill of Rights of 1689. As a result of such acts, the power of the English monarchy _______ during the reign of William and Mary.
a. increased
b. remained the same
c. decreased
d. none of the above
e. shot through the roof like Santa with his suit on fire
11. You are a wealthy colonist. You own a large tobacco plantation and several slaves. Your good friend George also makes a nice living building ships in the harbor a few miles away. In what colonial region do you most likely live?
a. New England
b. Middle Colonies
c. Southern Colonies
d. West Indies
12. Your father has sent you to live with a stranger named Tom Bombadil. Mr. Bombadil is a master carpenter and has agreed to teach you his trade in exchange for free labor and putting up with his stupid jokes. You are most likely a/an…
a. slave
b. indentured servant
c. apprentice
d. midwife
13. You are the Catholic King of England. You are interested in consolidating your power by putting the colonies under your control and creating the Dominion of New England. You also want to change the official religion in England back to Catholicism, but before you get your chance William and Mary show up and run you out of the country. Who are you?
a. Charles
b. Charles II
c. Oliver Cromwell
d. James II
U.S. History Chapter 6 Test: Conflicts in the Colonies
Directions: Answer the following questions in one to three complete sentences. Use examples to support your answer where possible, but be brief and to the point. Use your best spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
1. You are a member of the great Huron tribe of Indians in the Ohio Valley region. You definitely prefer to trade with the French over the English for weapons and tools. Why? (II)
2. What was the primary cause of conflict between the colonists and the native Americans in the Ohio Valley region? (I, II, III)
3. Why did the British have to leave troops in the colonies after the French and Indian War? (II)
4. What was the chief argument of the colonists against taxes such as the Sugar Act or the Stamp Act? (II)
5. What cultural trait made American colonists more likely to resist the taxes and laws passed by Parliament than their fellow British subjects across the ocean? (II)
6. You are a merchant in Boston in 1773. You own a coffee house which also sells tea - a lot of tea. What are your concerns after you find out Parliament has passed the Tea Act? (II)
7. You are a colonist living in New York in 1768. You own a small farm and occasionally you and your family sell milk, homemade butter, and ale to your neighbors and the people in the nearby village. You aren’t affected too much by all these taxes on imports from the Townshend Acts. What do you think of all the tension, protests, and boycotts going on in Boston and other places around the colonies? (II)
8. You are an important member of Parliament in 1774. You have just voted for the passage of the Intolerable Acts. Why do you think it is so important for the British government to maintain control over the colonies? (II)
U.S. History Chapter 7 Test: The Revolutionary War
Directions: Answer the following questions in two or three complete sentences. Use examples to support your answers where possible. Please pay attention to spelling and grammar.
1. You are a merchant living in a town just outside of Philadelphia. Tensions have reached a fever pitch between the British government and the colonists. War has broken out, and the colonists have declared independence. It is time for you to choose a side. Say whether you will choose to support the loyalists or the patriots and give two reasons for your decision.
2. Many historians argue that even though the British forces were superior to the colonists in numbers and supplies, the colonists still had the most important advantage one could have over the British. What was that advantage?
3. At the Battles of Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill, the patriots were able to hold their ground against a much larger British force for quite a while. Even though the colonists were forced to eventually retreat, the British still suffered much heavier casualties than the colonists. What kind of victory would this be for the colonists?
4. What did the Enlightenment philosopher John Locke believe people have the right to do if their government violates their natural rights? Why?
5. Create a list of the events that led up to and caused the Revolutionary War. Put your list in chronological order. You must include at least six events, but you may add more. (Your list does not need to be in complete sentences). Then mark the event that you believe is the most significant cause of the war and explain why.
U.S. History Chapter 8 Test: Creating a Republic
Directions: Answer the following questions in one to three complete sentences, or as indicated. Use details and specific facts to support your answers. Use your best spelling and grammar.
1. How did the national government’s lack of power to regulate foreign trade hurt the U.S.? (VI)
2. What were the major complaints of the Anti-Federalists during the fight for ratification of the Constitution? (II)
3. How did the weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation contribute to the writing of the Constitution? (You may use up to five sentences for this question). (II, V, VI)
4. Describe the economic problems in the U.S. that led to Shays’ Rebellion. (V, VI)
Chapter 9 Test: Constitution and Government
Rules for Our Government
Directions: Answer the following questions in one to three sentences.
1. Joey says he wants to be the president of the United States one day. How old does Joey have to be before he can become president?
2. If Joey was elected president, how many terms of office would he be allowed to serve?
3. Eleni wants to be a U.S. Senator when she gets older. If she gets elected, how long would her term of office be before she has to run for re-election?
4. Alex just got elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. How many times would Alex be allowed to get re-elected?
5. President Ritter receives a bill on her desk calling for a 20% decrease in the amount of fossil fuels that are burned in the U.S. over the next ten years. She likes some parts of the bill, but not others. What are her options with regard to the bill?
6. President Starkey has just vetoed a bill requiring women to register with the selective service when they are eighteen. Many members of Congress disagree with her, and believe this is an important piece of legislation. What may Congress attempt to do to pass this bill anyway?
7. Congress passes a law banning the private ownership of handguns in the U.S., but within a year the U.S. Supreme Court declares the law unconstitutional. What is Congress’ only option if they wish to keep this law?
8. Tommy holds a political rally at Whetstone park where he begins calling for the overthrow of the U.S. government. Tommy is immediately arrested for his speech. Has Tommy’s right to free speech been violated? Why or why not?
9. Oliver gets pulled over one night while driving home. The police officer tells Oliver that he was speeding. Surprisingly, Oliver is polite about it, and cooperates with the officer. The policeman searches Oliver’s car anyway, even though there isn’t really a good reason. Which of Oliver’s rights has been violated?
10. Why is it a duty of U.S. citizens to vote?
Chapter 10 Test: Launching the Nation
Directions: Answer the following questions in one to three complete sentences unless otherwise directed. Don’t even act like you’re not excited to take this test, because you know you are. Use examples and details from the reading and from class to support your answer.
1. List the three main pieces of advice that President Washington gave to the nation in his farewell address.
2. Describe how the electoral college works.
3. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson disagreed on almost everything. List three specific topics on which Hamilton and Jefferson did not agree.
4. What did Spain agree to do in Pinckney’s Treaty?
5. Why many did small farmer’s disagree with the Whiskey Tax passed by Congress in 1791?
6. How did political parties play a major role in the 1796 election?
7. What do you think is Alexander Hamilton’s biggest influence on the U.S. government today? Use examples to support your answer.
Chapter 11 Test: Jefferson and National Expansion
Directions: Answer the following questions in no more than two sentences each.
1. During his inaugural speech Jefferson expressed his views on the rule of the majority. He said, “Though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail [win],…the minority posses their rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate [these rights] would be oppression.” What did President Jefferson mean by this? (II, V, IX)
2. When Jefferson won the presidency in 1800, the Democratic-Republicans also won control of Congress. He reassured the remaining Federalists in the government by saying, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists…. Let us, then, with courage and confidence pursue our…attachment to union and representative government.” What does Jefferson mean here? (II, V, IX)
3. Why would President Jefferson order Secretary of State James Madison to withhold the commissions of the “midnight judges” appointed by President John Adams? (II, V)
4. Describe the principle of judicial review established by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Marbury v. Madison. (II, V)
5. When the U.S. learned that France had regained ownership of Louisiana, Jefferson said of New Orleans, “There is on the globe one single spot, the possessor of which is our natural and habitual enemy. It is New Orleans, through which the produce of three-eighths of our territory must pass to market.” What point is he making with these words? (II, III, IX)
6. Even though he thought it was a great opportunity, President Jefferson was concerned about whether or not he was allowed to buy Louisiana from France. Why? (II, V)
7. In 1803, after the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson got Congress to pay for an expedition to explore the new lands that now belonged to the U.S. Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis to lead the expedition. Jefferson described Lewis, a former army captain, as being, “brave, prudent [careful], habituated [used] to the woods, and familiar with Indian manners and character.” Why would Jefferson want someone with these qualities leading the expedition west? (II, III)
8. Why would the U.S. Navy destroy its own ship, the USS Philadelphia, after it was captured by Tripoli? (II)
9. What excuse did the British use for impressing thousands of American merchant sailors into military service in the early 1800’s? (II)
10. How were Britain and France violating U.S. neutrality in the early 1800’s? (II, VI)
11. In 1807 Congress passed the Embargo Act. What affect did this law have on Jefferson’s popularity and why? (II, VI)
12. Which battle (and also happened to be the greatest American victory in the War of 1812) took place two weeks after the war was officially over? Why did the battle occur after the war was ended? (II)
13. What treaty officially ended the War of 1812, and what problems did it solve? (II)
US History Chapter 12 Test: A New National Identity
Directions: Answer the questions in no more than two complete sentences.
1. Many historians call the expansion of American democracy in the 1820’s and 1830’s “Jacksonian Democracy.” What are two things that occurred during this time period that gave more power to the common voter? (II,V)
2. In Worchester v. Georgia, the Supreme Court ruled that because the Cherokee Nation was “…a distinct community, occupying its own territory…” only the federal government, not the states, had authority over the Cherokee. However, President Jackson refused to enforce the ruling and allowed Georgia to remove the Cherokee anyway. How could Jackson’s actions be seen as harmful to the Union? (II,V)
3. What are two reasons President Jackson and other members of Congress, like John C. Calhoun, gave to support the Indian Removal Act? (II,V)
4. Why would Southern support for states’ rights and nullification over a strong federal government threaten the Union? (II,V)
Chapter 13 Über Quiz: Industrial Growth
1. Describe and explain the two main factors that contributed to urbanization in the early and mid-1800s. (II, VI)
2. Describe three effects of the Industrial Revolution. (II, VI)
3. What did mass production of goods and the Transportation Revolution cause to happen to the prices of many goods in the U.S.? What did this do for the U.S. economy? (II, VI)
4. Why do historians use the word “revolution” to describe changes in industry and transportation during the period from 1790 to 1860? (II, VI)
Chapter 14 Über-Quiz: Agriculture in the South
Directions: Answer each in no more than two complete sentences. Make sure to answer the entire question and give an example to support your answer where possible.
1. How did Eli Whitney’s cotton gin, at least indirectly, contribute to the rebirth of slavery in the South in the 1800’s?
2. In the late 1700’s the prices of cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo dropped. Using the concept of supply and demand to explain, how did this contribute to the drop in prices for slaves?
3. By 1860 only about one percent of Southerners owned slaves, and only about three percent of that number owned fifty or more slaves. Why was it that these people had such a powerful influence in the South?
4. Describe the social order of Southern society in the early to mid 1800’s.
5. Many slaves worked to maintain their ties to one another and to their heritage. What was the most important part (or unit) of slave communities?
6. Neil Buie, who was born in 1801, was a member of a large slave owning family. He died in 1861 in Copiah County, Mississippi. According to the 1860 Copiah County Slave Schedule, which was an inventory of all the slaves in that county, Mr. Buie owned 76 slaves. One slave, named Littleton, was valued in the schedule at $1800, which would be about $40,000 in 2005 dollars. Mr. Buie owned several more slaves valued at $850 each, which would be about $19,000 per slave in 2005 dollars. Two other men, Jack and Israel, were valued at $1450 and $1500 respectively in 1860 dollars. Using these dollar values as a clue, why would someone like Mr. Buie be motivated to fight to keep slavery legal?
U.S History Chapter 18 Test: A Nation Divided
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Be brief and to the point. Use your best spelling, etc. and be sure to use specific examples and details to support your answer. If you get stuck, you may use The Force to help you.
1. Describe how each of the following items contributed to secession and the Civil War. Choose two of the four.
a) The Fugitive Slave Act
b) Uncle Tom’s Cabin
c) The Dred Scott Decision
d) John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry
2. Briefly list and explain the five parts of the Compromise of 1850.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
3) What was the Wilmot Proviso?
4) What was Abraham Lincoln’s position on the issue of slavery?
5) What was South Carolina’s legal argument for seceding from the Union?
Chapter 19 Test: The Civil War
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Use examples and details from class and the reading to support your answers.
1. Explain how slavery was a long-term cause of the Civil War.
2. What two important things did the Civil War accomplish?
3. Explain the concept of total war, and why Lincoln was willing to use such a harsh tactic against the South.